Sanchez returns to Chile national team for first time in 7 months

Alexis Sanchez made his much-anticipated return to the Chile national team on Tuesday night, after more than seven months away.

Chile beat Mexico with a last-gasp goal in a thrilling friendly in Queretaro, with the Manchester United man playing the full 90 minutes.

Sanchez last played for his country in March, before missing the subsequent six matches, all of which friendlies against the likes of Poland, Serbia and Peru.
The 29-year-old pulled out of the squad despite being called up in August, with two different reasons being given for his absence.
He was just returning from an injury, with the Chile coach admitting that after a discussion with Manchester United it was decided he needed more time to get up to speed at the start of the season.

It was also reported that Sanchez was keen to knuckle down at Old Trafford, as he looked to battle his way back into Jose Mourinho’s plans.
He even missed the Peru game earlier this week due to visa issues, before finally pulling on the red Chile jersey in Mexico on Tuesday night.
In the match itself, Nicolas Castillo followed up his own stinging drive to score in the 89th minute and hand Chile a 1-0 win.

Both sides had come close to scoring before that in an end-to-end game but just as it looked like it would finish 0-0 substitute Castillo hammered in a shot from just outside box then muscled his way past the Mexican defence to prod home when goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez spilled the ball.

Chile also had a goal chalked off for offside 15 minutes from time, while at the other end Jurgen Damm missed Mexico’s best chance when he shot wide after running on to a defence-splitting pass from Erick Gutierrez.
Chile host Costa Rica and Honduras next month, while Mexico will go to Argentina to take on the home side twice in four days.